If you’re trying to eat healthy and part of your routine is
buy frozen berries for topping off your cereal or to use in smoothies, you may
be a risk for Hepatitis A. There is currently a second recall on frozen berries. You can become infected
with Hepatitis A by consuming contaminated foods and/or water, or by having close
contact with someone who has it.
 |
| Photo: Commons.wikimedia.org - CDC raspberry - Public Domain |
Hepatitis A is a virus that infects the liver and makes you
sick with jaundice, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting for starters. Here’s the good news: There is a vaccine to protect you from getting
infected with Hepatitis A. Hepatitis A Vaccine
is given in two separate doses given at least six months apart. The goal of the vaccine is to provide your body immunity to the virus if you become exposed to it.
If you have not yet been vaccinated against
Hepatitis A, now is a good time to consider it. The vaccine can be obtained at
most physician offices, clinics and some pharmacies (the ability to get a vaccine at a pharmacy is not available in all fifty states at this time). The
vaccine is contraindicated (who should not get the vaccine) for some people. Be sure to contact your doctor to find out if you’re eligible to get the
vaccine. Typically, healthcare providers that administer it, will ask you to fill out a
consent/screening form to help determine if you are a candidate for the
vaccine, by asking questions about your medical history and allergies.
There is no excuse for contaminated food, and there have been
many recalls involving a variety of foods from peanut butter (and related
products) to fresh produce, meats and other items, involving different types of
illness/disease causing organisms. More
needs to be done to ensure the safety of our food supply. Sometimes, there was nothing the consumer could do to
prevent getting sick and no way to tell an item was contaminated.
In the meantime; stay up to date with all of your
vaccines (for your general health) to include Hepatitis A Vaccine, wash all produce well prior to
consumption, stay informed to news about Outbreaks and food recalls, learn about food safety, the basics of which start with keeping hot
foods hot and cold foods cold. Taking these steps can reduce your chances of
becoming stricken with a food related illness.
